Lebanese potato suffers from Egyptian and Syrian competition

Syrian potatoes sneak into Lebanon through covert border crossings, causing stagnation in local markets and decreased prices for Lebanese potatoes.

A kilo of potatoes cost 17,000 pounds when the black market dollar was 37000 LBP. 


Despite the fact that the black market dollar has increased to as much as 46000 LBP today, the price of a kilo has decreased to between 8000 and 9000 LBP due to flooding of Lebanese markets with Syrian potatoes.

“As if our accumulated problems are not enough, there are huge quantities of Syrian potatoes that are being smuggled from Syria,” said the Head of Bekaa Farmers Association, Ibrahim Tarchichi.

The upcoming date for opening the door to importing Egyptian potatoes on February 1st coincides with the fact that about 40,000 tons of Lebanese potatoes are in refrigerators waiting to be thrown out.

“The disposal of these potatoes needs at least two months, and we ask the minister to delay opening the import door in front of the Egyptian potatoes for approximately ten days because we still have production,” said the Head of the potato farmers syndicate in Bekaa, Georges Sakr.

Will the Ministry of Agriculture comply with the request to delay allowing Egyptian potatoes into the country?

Sources at the concerned ministry told LBCI that the country is committed to a law that governs trade relations between Egypt and Lebanon and serves as the foundation of the Egyptian agricultural calendar. 

This is especially true given that the country is developing a trust relationship with the Egyptian government to open up new international markets. Regarding the illegal import of potatoes into Lebanon from Syria, the ministry alerted the appropriate security agencies.

In conclusion, no one is handling responsibility as smuggling invades the markets, imports approach, and the Lebanese are just watching.